This month we have been in Busia, Kenya, which is 20 minutes from the Uganda border. We lived about 10-15 minutes outside of the town in a community called Ochude. I LOVED this community. I LOVED the people I came in contact with. This community blessed me more than I could have ever thought. The people I came in contact with will forever be in my heart.
We lived with Pastor & his wife and their 2 children. We were the first team with Pastor Vitalis. This month ministry wise we were pretty busy. We did a lot of evangelism, visited a hospital 2 times, and preached at the church.
To be honest, at first evangelism intimidated me. I wasn’t looking forward to it. But after the first house we went to I started to enjoy it. This was the first time I had REALLY led someone to Christ on the Race.
Let me tell you about the first time I REALLY led someone to Christ on the Race.
Her name is Celestine. (pronounced CELEST-A) She was 19. We went to her home, and started talking to her mom. Her mom then told us that her daughter fought with her and her brothers & sisters a lot. She told us that she was a Christian but no-one else in her family was. I asked if her daughter was home, and she said yes. She sent one of the younger children to go get her, but that child came back and said that Celestine had refused to come talk to me. At first I didn’t know what to say. But then I knew that I was suppose to go talk to her, so I asked if I could go to her. They all laughed at me, even my translator. So that made me nervous, but they agreed that I could go talk to her. So I went into the kitchen, and I knew by her facial features, body language, and tone that she realllly didn’t want to talk to me. But I talked anyway. I asked her if she was a believer, and she said no. So I walked her through the gospel, and told her that I loved her and that is why I was telling her this. After a little bit she agreed to accept Christ. I was blown away. But still hesitate that she was only saying this so I would go away. But she prayed and accepted Jesus into her life that day!
I didn’t know whether she really believed, or if she just wanted me to stop talking. But that next Sunday I knew it was real. She came to church. And she came both Sundays after that. SHE ACCEPTED CHRIST! Praise the Lord for Celestine!
I got the privilege of buying their family a bible so that they could grow their relationship farther. When I got to take it to them, they were so surprised, surprised that I actually brought them a bible. But the smiles on their faces were worth it. I would have done it again just to see their faces. That is what its about, getting to bless the people around you. But they turned around and blessed me. With a CHICKEN (who’s name is WILLIE)! It was their way of saying thank you. Their way to repay me.
Everyday that I got to look at that chicken it reminded me of the faces of that family. It reminded me that this month was worth it. Celestine was worth those 15-20 minutes that I got to talk to her when I didn’t know if she was really listening. Evangelism is worth it. Even thought at times I was exhausted and didn’t really want to do it. Or that one-day this month where I felt ineffective. That day was worth it. THIS IS WHAT THE RACE IS ABOUT! People like Celestine, and her family. THIS IS WHY I AM ON THE RACE!
This month was a special one to me. Celestine will continue to be in my prayers, and I hope you will add her to yours.
